‘It’s a big moment for our community’: Simu Liu on being Marvel’s first Asian lead
In 2018 Simu Liu sent a tweet in which he asked Marvel “are we gonna talk or what?”, and used the hashtag #ShangChi.
Now, in a storyline perhaps worthy of its own Hollywood movie, the actor’s first film as the superhero is hitting cinemas across the world.
And Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings isn’t just a dream come true for Liu – as the character is Marvel’s first Asian superhero – the movie marks a milestone moment for many film fans who have been waiting to feel represented by the studio and within the genre.
Liu is playing Shang-Chi. Pic: Marvel Studios
“It’s a big moment for our community, obviously, and for me personally, too,” Liu told Sky News.
“It’s my first feature film in the Hollywood world and I didn’t want to do anything less than the absolute best.”
The film is an origin story, and sees Shang-Chi forced to confront a past he thought he’d left behind.
It’s also an action movie, with huge amounts of martial arts – something Liu admits he wasn’t ready for when he first won the role.
“I had some stunt background and a background in gymnastics, but by no means was I some sort of Jackie Chan or a Bruce Lee, like a pure master of the art – and I knew that I had my work cut out for me,” he said.
“But that being said, I think that’s the challenge that every actor faces when they’re taking on a role and whether it’s martial arts or playing piano or violin or figure skating or whatever you have, it’s our job to immerse ourselves and fully commit to selling the reality of the character.
Liu says he had to train for the role. Pic: Marvel Studios
“So for about four months in Sydney, leading up to the start of photography, I worked, I want to say five or six hours a day, five days a week in the stunt department, and then I did an hour, an hour and a half of strength and conditioning, so I definitely took it seriously.”
In another first for Marvel, the film has a mostly Asian cast, which includes Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh and the legendary Tony Leung.
Liu has joked on Twitter about how tough it is to impress his parents – but in working with Leung, he definitely had their attention.
Awkwafina (R) also stars in the film. Pic: Marvel Studios
He said they would call every week during production.
Liu explained: “Every time they’d call they’d be like, ‘How’s Tony?’ I’d be like ‘Tony’s fine – I’m also doing OK, Mom. Thank you!’ But that’s all she wanted to know.
“She was absolutely gutted that Tony couldn’t make it out to the premiere because she was, more than her own son having a movie premiere, she was looking forward to having a picture with Tony Leung.
“So I look forward to the day where I can finally fulfil my mother’s wish, but until then, maybe not fully proud of me just yet.”
And it’s not just Liu’s Mum who is seemingly star-struck by the veteran actor – Liu heaped praise on his co-star, calling him “magnetic and compelling”
“It’s just such an honour to go to work with him every day,” Liu said.
Liu said working with Tony Leung was an ‘honour’. Pic: Marvel Studios
“I think about a movie star of his stature, right, with his body of work in Asia and just being as A-list as he is, he really just comes off as so down to earth, so grounded, approachable, very gentle, soft spoken guy, very friendly too and so there was a lot of great times hanging out off set and also in between takes.
“He’s [got a] very, very incredible work ethic, he shows up to work, he never has his phone, he always is around set and never goes back to his trailer, is just so incredibly focussed on the work and, you know, I think lifted the rest of us up with him, so it was truly a joy to work with him every day.”
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is out in cinemas in the UK on Friday.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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